“Today they have charged me with the crime of conspiracy. All the accusations and supposed evidence are false, and I reject them,” Machado stated on Wednesday.

Under the Venezuelan law, Machado will be handed down a 16-year prison sentence if she is found guilty.

In May, the Venezuelan government released emails which showed that Machado, US Ambassador to Colombia Kevin Whitaker, and several others were involved in a plan to assassinate President Nicolás Maduro.

Machado was one of the most influential figures in launching anti-government protests earlier this year.

The Venezuelan government has repeatedly stated that the opposition seeks to launch a coup d’état in the South American country with the backing of Washington.